Penile Cancer Care

Penile cancer care is vital to get rid of cancerous cells in a phased and systematic manner and curb their chances of regeneration. Penile cancer can be dangerous in the later stages of the disease and may even cost one's life. Hence, proper care is significant and advantageous to keep a watch on cell behavior in the penile areas and ensure that all the vital cells and tissues are functioning normally and efficiently.

Penile Cancer Care in Detail

Penile cancer is a complicated disease though the numbers of cases related to the disorder are not even 1% of the overall cancer cases occurring worldwide. The disease is more common in under-developed areas of South America and Africa as compared to developed regions like North America and Europe.

People suffering from advanced stage of penile cancer are at high risk as the survival rate is quite low for this disorder. Almost 85% of the total patients of penile cancer survive for at least five years after being diagnosed for the disease. Survival rate goes down to 59% in the intermediate stages for penile cancer while it dips further to 11% in the last stage. Hence, life expectancy of a person decreases as the intensity of tumors increase. Proper diagnosis methods may help in correctly tracing the polyps but a proper and timely treatment is important to tackle the malignant polyps effectively.

Care for penile cancer includes everything from detection and analysis of tumors to treating them effectively and ensuring proper recovery of the patient. Mental recovery is more important than the physical recovery to make the optimum use of treatment undertaken. Mentally fit person is able to strengthen his immune system more rapidly and sustain the side-effects of treatment undergone.

Post-treatment care is also a form of penile cancer care as restricting redevelopment of malignant growth is equally important. Regular health checkup can be helpful to keep a track of changes taking place in the penile areas and altering the routine or lifestyle pattern accordingly. Personal habits like smoking, unsafe sex practices, chewing tobacco, consumption of carcinogenic substances including alcohol play a decisive role in occurrence or redevelopment of lumps in the penile region. Such habits should be avoided and regular monitoring of the status of immune system should be done to avoid unnecessary health complications.

Diagnosis methods like fine needle aspiration biopsy, ultrasound and CT (Computed Tomography) scan can be helpful to trace the nature and scope of lump growth well in advance and treat them before they turn cancerous. Some may also undergo X-rays or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans to know the location and growth of tumors.

Tips for Penile Cancer Care

Penile cancer can create complications during urination and also affect the functioning of penis during sexual reproduction activity. Though the disease is more common in aged people above 60 years, chances of its occurrence in young people cannot be ignored. Changing lifestyles and habits may alter the target age of the disease to a great extent. Personal history of penile cancer carries a threat of malignant recurrence and alters survival rate of the victim. Family history of penile or other types of cancers like prostate, testicular or abdominal cancer may put a person at a considerably higher risk in comparison to those who have no such family background.

People who are facing frequent swelling and soreness in the penile areas must consult a physician immediately. Redness near the glans or under the foreskin, change of color of penis skin of foreskin, formation of lumps under the foreskin or in any other areas under the scope of penile region and frequent ulcers may lead to cell abnormality and severe the situation. People who undergo circumcision surgery at birth are at considerably low risk of penile cancer as compared to the ones who undergo it in the adult age or do not undergo it at all.

Penile cancer care should be systematic and prompt in order to avoid undergoing harsh cancer treatments. Tumors that form in the early phases can be eliminated by surgery. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy is useful if the tumors are intense and cannot be eliminated by surgical patterns. Thorough medical supervision supported by latest diagnosis and cure pattern can be very helpful to carry out penile cancer care in an apt and efficient manner.